Page 37 of Second Chances
It was such a practical and fleeting touch that somehow turned extremely sensual. Megan felt a whoosh as adrenaline surged through her body and landed like a fiery ball in her lower abdomen. She wanted to feel Josh’s hand on her body again.
“That didn’t come out the wrong way, thank you, I think.” Megan took another sip of her beer, willing the conversation to take a turn away from their nine-year age gap.
“People in town are excited about your café. It looks like you’re doing everything right so far, hiring local tradespeople was a smart move. Do you still think you’re going to have the doors open by the fifteenth?”
“It will be tight.” Megan leaned back on her bar stool. “If the drywallers get things done on time we should be able to get the painters in and the kitchen installed. Should I be worried about the furniture maker?”
“He always gets things done. But it never hurts to buy him another beer.”
“Bartender,” Megan raised her hand, “two more.”
Charlie poured two more pints and set them in front of Megan and Josh.
“It’s a work day tomorrow,” Josh smiled and finished off his first beer before taking a sip of his next.
“Well, let’s call this a business meeting then.”
Josh tipped an invisible hat at Megan. “Roger that, boss.”
They sat sipping their hoppy beers and discussing the job. Megan had set up interviews for the staff for the following day and Josh seemed to know all the people who had applied. “I know that you will make the right decision for the café, but if you need the insider’s scoop on any of these people, you come to me. There are quite a few weirdos in this town, and they’re good at hiding it.”
“Is one of them sitting with me right now?” Megan smiled wryly.
“Maybe, but a few of them just walked in.”
Megan heard a rowdy group of men burst into the bar. They were wearing matching search and rescue jackets and hats, all but one – Freddie.
“What’s his story?” Megan asked.
“Who, Fred?” Josh waved at the group of men and a few of them came over and clapped him on the back and said hi on their way to the big table in the center of the bar. “He’s a born and raised Rapidian. Went to high school here. Kind of grew up in his older brother’s shadow though. Freddie went into ski racing and Logan focused on hockey. Freddie was the best skier on the mountain and an Olympic hopeful, but he couldn’t stop crashing and tearing his ACL. He either won the race or crashed out.”
“That’s actually kind of sad.” Megan watched the young man and for the first time noticed his limp as he made his way to sit with the group of men.
Josh laughed. “Don’t you start feeling sorry for Freddie, that guy is doing just fine. He loves his job and doesn’t have any problems with the ladies. As a matter of fact, I’m surprised that he hasn’t hit on you yet.”
“Maybe I’m not his type.”
“Oh, trust me. He doesn’t have a type,” Josh laughed.
“Hey,” Megan said and playfully punched Josh in the arm.
“Shit. That’s not what I meant,” Josh replied and then smiled wryly, “I may have told him to stay away from the boss.”
Megan looked at Josh, her mind racing. “Well, thank you. I appreciate that,” she said. However, what she really wanted to know is whether Josh told Freddie to back off because she was the boss, or because he wanted her for himself?
Freddie sauntered over to the bar and ordered a pitcher of Budweiser and leaned into Josh, “Business meeting?”
“You know it,” Josh laughed. “Did you miss Search and Rescue Practice?”
“Well, you know, town emergency, the Christmas Carols were shorting out. That took priority over practicing ropes skills.”
“Did they take out the chopper?” Josh asked.
“Too much weather,” Freddie poured beer into his glass and took a sip. “Didn’t miss much. The guys are still wondering when you’re going to come back.”
Josh looked over at the group of men and Megan thought that she saw a look of longing in his eyes. “I don’t think I’ve got the time, you know, with this new project. The boss is a real ball-buster.”
“Hey,” Megan laughed. “Were you part of this Search and Rescue gang?”
